She noticed a group of five couples heading toward them on the sidewalk. Dusti bit her lip and then released it. “Are those your clan people ahead of us in that group?”

“Yes.”

Now is my chance, she thought, mustering up her courage when the group drew closer. She jerked on Drantos’s hand to bring him to a halt. He turned to peer at her with a questioning gaze. Dusti took a deep breath, her heart racing, and she made sure she spoke loudly.

“Thank you for allowing me to be your mate, Drantos. I mean it. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

She rushed on, ignoring his shocked expression and the fact that the couples had stopped to gawk. “I don’t deserve you. I’ve been so unworthy. But I swear I’ll make it up to you every day.”

His jaw clenched and his gaze lifted over her head. Understanding dawned, quickly followed by amusement. His lips twitched. “You’ll show the clan that you’re more than worthy of being mine. They just need to see how courageous and strong you are, as I have.”

She winked at him subtly. “You’re the best. I love you.”

He lifted her hand to his lips, pressed a kiss on her knuckles, and then started to move down the sidewalk as he lowered it. “I love you too, sweetheart.”

She couldn’t resist glancing at the VampLycans when they passed them. All ten of them appeared openly stunned and she resisted the grin that threatened to curve her lips. She hoped that little display of them as a couple dispelled any gossip about Drantos having to talk her into being with him.

“You didn’t have to do that,” he said softly, once they’d cleared the town and reached the path to his cabin.

She opened her mouth to tell him she’d done it because she cared about him.

“But I appreciate it.”

Dusti understood. “I’d do anything for you.”

“My friend I spoke to heard from Kraven. He didn’t want to risk reaching out to me on the phone in case your grandfather tapped the lines to trace the call. He and Bat are somewhere safe. He knew we’d be worried.”

Tears filled Dusti’s eyes. “Thank you. When are they coming back? When will I see Bat again?”

“They will return as soon as Decker is caught and brought to justice. She’ll be safe once he’s no longer a threat.”

“Where are they?”

“He didn’t pass along that information.”

“Did Kraven mention to your friend if he’d told her yet that he wants Bat to be his mate?”

“He didn’t mention Kraven sounded in pain, so I assume not.”

Dusti chuckled. “Yeah. I almost feel sorry for your brother.” Her humor faded as quickly as it surfaced. “I don’t see how that can work out between them, to be honest.”

Drantos paused to gaze down at her with his beautiful eyes. “Love is the most important thing of all. He’ll love her.”

“She has her career that she’s suffered a lot for. It’s everything to her.”

“That’s not true. She loves you, and you matter more than anything to her. I saw that in her eyes every time she looked at you.”

“I’ve never tried to step in the way of her career. She just reached her ultimate goal. The law firm is considering making her a partner. She’d have to give it all up to be with him, wouldn’t she? You said VampLycans can’t stand living in cities. Her entire life is in Los Angeles.”

“Let’s go home. We can’t do anything for them but be here when they return.” He started to move again.

Dusti worried. She knew Kraven would do his best to protect her sister and that Bat wasn’t a slouch at watching her own back. But she really couldn’t see how their relationship could work out. Bat would fight Kraven every step of the way and have a major meltdown when he explained everything she’d have to give up to be with him. That was if her sister even allowed him to get that close to her. She’d sworn off ever loving a man again after having her heart broken.

Please don’t ever leave me. I couldn’t live without you, sweetheart.

Her heart melted when she glanced up at Drantos. “I don’t plan on going anywhere.”

He jerked to halt in front of their cabin, his dark blue eyes widening.

“What?”

“You heard me?”

“I’m not deaf. I’m not going to leave. I love you. I’m not as hung up on my old life as Bat is.”

A grin curved his lips, reminding her how handsome he was. “I didn’t say that aloud. I thought it. You’ve picked up my thoughts. You can hear me.” He closed his mouth. Tell me you love me again.

Shock tore through her. He hadn’t spoken that last part but she’d heard it as if he had. His voice had been that loud and clear.

Drantos lowered to his knees in front of her. “The bond is in place! We’re officially mated.”

Can you hear me? She tried to think toward him, carefully attempting to project each word without moving her own lips.

A deep rumble of a laugh answered her before his thoughts did. Yes, I can.

Oh shit, he can hear everything I think? I’m so going to be in a world of trouble the next time I get mad at him.

“No, Dusti. Only the things you project will come through the bond. If you’re mad, I will hear your thoughts unless you shield them. You’ll learn. I won’t invade your privacy.”

“But just a few minutes ago we couldn’t do this.”

“The bond just snaps into place. We’ve been sharing sex and blood. Our emotions are involved. My blood and yours have started to take hold in each other. This is a true mating.”

Her gaze lowered to the front of his jeans. “So that means you can’t get it up for other women now?”

“That’s the first thing you think about?” He shook his head, looking amused, and rose back up to his feet. “Yes, that’s what it means.”

“What else is going to change?”

He released her hand to open the cabin door, pausing long enough for her to enter first. He threw her new clothes onto the table just inside the entry, used his boot to slam the door closed, and grabbed her before she could do more than gasp. He nearly ran with her toward their bedroom.

“What are you doing?”

He dropped her on the bed. Her body bounced once on the soft mattress and she gaped at Drantos while he tore at his clothes. He nearly fell over when he bent to tear off his boots. She laughed and lifted up on her elbows to watch him. The amusement left when his gaze met hers as he straightened. His eyes glowed.